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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Police form SIT, arrest four

Achalpur Municipal Council serves ‘bulldozer justice’ Mumbai: Amid growing public outrage in Vidarbha, police in Amravati arrested three associates of the prime accused, 19 year old Ayan Ahmed Tanveer in the scandal involving recording and circulation of obscene videos of young women. The police also formed a 47-member Special Investigation Team even as authorities say preliminary inquiries point to a large cache of material and possible involvement of minors, prompting a rapid escalation of...

Police form SIT, arrest four

Achalpur Municipal Council serves ‘bulldozer justice’ Mumbai: Amid growing public outrage in Vidarbha, police in Amravati arrested three associates of the prime accused, 19 year old Ayan Ahmed Tanveer in the scandal involving recording and circulation of obscene videos of young women. The police also formed a 47-member Special Investigation Team even as authorities say preliminary inquiries point to a large cache of material and possible involvement of minors, prompting a rapid escalation of the probe and local administrative action that included partial demolition of the accused’s house. Police on Wednesday took into custody Uzair Khan Iqbal Khan (20), Mohammad Saad Mohammad Sabir (22) and Tabrez Khan Taslim Khan (24) after Ayan’s arrest on Monday. Court remand for the newly arrested trio runs until 21 April as investigators intensify questioning. Officials have so far identified eight victims, but local claims and media reports suggest the scandal may involve far larger numbers — with some sources alleging up to 180 girls and as many as 350 videos circulating online. A cyber team is working to recover deleted files and trace the full extent of distribution. Unauthorised Structure The Achalpur Municipal Council deployed a bulldozer to raze part of the accused’s house, citing unauthorised construction; officials said the timing was coincidental to the probe, but the action has added to tensions in the area. Police have formed a 47 member Special Investigation Team to coordinate forensic, cyber and field inquiries and have appealed to the public not to share any images or clips, warning that doing so is a criminal offence. Female officers are assisting in victim identification and interviews to ensure sensitivity and confidentiality. Investigation Focus Investigators have seized numerous objectionable videos from the prime accused’s phone and are attempting to match faces and locations to identify victims. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the POCSO Act where minors are involved, and provisions of the Information Technology Act for non consensual recording and distribution. Police stress that no formal FIRs from victims are required to pursue the case and have offered the option of filing Zero FIRs to protect identities and fast track action. The scandal has provoked a political storm in Amravati. Opposition leaders have demanded a high level probe and some local groups have called for shutdowns, prompting heightened security. While there have been claims about the accused’s political links, party officials say he has been expelled; nevertheless, the episode has intensified scrutiny of law and order and online safety for young women. Community leaders and activists are pressing for swift arrests of all accomplices and for systemic measures to prevent similar crimes.

Sunetra Pawar has taken charge, but challenges remain

Mumbai: Days after taking oath as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy CM, Sunetra Ajit Pawar was unanimously elected president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This was another major responsibility on her shoulders just a month after her husband’s tragic death in the Baramati air crash.


For decades, Sunetra, popular as ‘Vahini’ or just ‘Tai’, chose to be the silent force behind her husband. But she remained accessible, grounded and attentive to the people of Baramati.


Sunetra quietly built institutions of sustainability, empowering rural youth, women and farmers, and addressed environmental concerns.


Earning awards and accolades, she continued in a similar vein until the NCP suddenly split apart in July 2023 and Ajit Pawar fielded her in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Baramati.


Her opponent was her sister-in-law and the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) Working President Supriya Sule, who easily snatched victory.


Barely months later, Sunetra waltzed into the Rajya Sabha with a nudge from the BJP, signalling new political equations.


Challenges ahead

Sunetra Pawar faces multiple challenges within the party, government, politics and family. There’s a dreaded, but not fully identified, ‘chandal chaukdi’ (gang of four), referred to by all, that’s hyper-active after Ajit Pawar’s death. This can test her authority.


Here, Sunetra will have to assert herself and make efforts to carve her independent niche in politics. The sympathy factor may soon evaporate.


Another question is whether Sunetra will initiate a ‘merger’ of the two NCPs. This was said to be the ‘desire’ of Ajit Pawar.


A close family friend and retired IPS officer, Vikram Bokey, described Sunetra as ‘a gem of a human being, extremely poised, cultured, and with a highly educated background’.


“The state witnessed her suddenly blossom into a leader after Ajit Pawar’s tragic passing… She has rekindled hopes among the masses. The people view her as the ideal candidate for the top (CM) post,” Bokey told The Perfect Voice.


Sunetra – A village girl who became deputy CM

Born on 18 October 1963, Sunetra hails from an influential political family. Her step-brother, Dr Padamsinh Patil, straddled state and national politics with ease for decades.


She completed her BA, married Ajit Pawar in 1985, but chose to prioritise family and motherhood and only much later (2024) marked her reluctant political entry to support her spouse.


She is a trustee of Vidya Pratishthan, chairperson of Baramati Hi-Tech Textile Park, and a member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum, a French think-tank. She launched the Environmental Forum of India (2010).

 

 

 

 

 


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